Sheridan Bond:Bond backs Latrobe drug rehabilitation facility

The Nationals candidate for Morwell, Sheridan Bond has called for a dedicated drug rehabilitation centre in the Latrobe Valley after meeting with families affected by drug abuse and local counsellors.

This week Ms Bond met with counsellors from the Australia Community Support Organisation (ACSO) to discuss the need for a detox and short-term rehabilitation service in the Latrobe Valley for people experiencing drug and alcohol addiction.

Ms Bond said meeting with ACSO reinforced her view that there is a real need to address the increasing drug and alcohol problems facing our community.

The meeting with ACSO comes after Ms Bond attended a meeting of Latrobe Valley Drug Support in Traralgon where she met with family members of loved ones who are battling addiction. Latrobe Valley Drug Support is a community-based group that supports family members who are affected by drug addiction. They meet once a month in Traralgon.

"The vision for a Latrobe Valley facility will see a safe place where addicts can go through detox and then move into short-term rehabilitation whereby a team of specialists individually assess each person’s long term support and health needs.

"Specifically once the individual has detoxed, a health plan can be created for the future.

This might include long term rehabilitation, attendance at a day program, ongoing counselling or a combination of therapies and supports.

"What many people will be surprised to learn is that while ice addiction is devastating for the addict and family, the biggest addiction being battled in our community is alcohol. Not surprisingly alcohol is involved in over 70 per cent of domestic violence cases.

"The impact of ice is serious in our community but rehabilitation must cater for all substance addictions and this importantly includes the slow burn of alcoholism.

Latrobe as a region has recently recorded the highest rate of family violence in the state and the recent statistics show it is continuing to rise.

"With drugs and alcohol such a major player in domestic violence cases it is imperative the Latrobe Valley is considered for a drug rehabilitation centre and I am happy to stand with organisations such as ACSO and advocate for the facility. I have been working with my Nationals colleagues toward funding for such a facility.

"Currently residents of Latrobe Valley have to source residential treatment programs in the metropolitan areas. Having a locally based facility would be advantageous for the addict and family and friends supporting them on their path to recovery."

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